The Austrian capital hosts the Eurovision final despite controversy over Israel’s inclusion. Broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia withdrew in protest, citing Israel’s military actions in Gaza after October 7, 2023.

Ireland’s broadcaster declared participation “unacceptable” given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while Israel claimed it faces a global smear campaign.

Contest director Martin Green emphasized Eurovision’s role as a neutral platform uniting artists through music, though he acknowledged global conflicts often intersect with cultural events.

The withdrawals reduced participation to 35 countries, the lowest since 2003, raising concerns about viewership compared to last year’s 166 million audience. Twenty-five countries, including Israel, remain in the final.

Protests in Vienna have been limited but police anticipate attempts to disrupt the event. Earlier in the week, demonstrators shouted “Stop the genocide” and “Free Palestine” during pre-final activities, leading to expulsions from the venue.

Israeli contestant Noam Bitan faced boos on stage, and the European Broadcasting Union issued a warning to Israel’s broadcaster over promotional videos urging multiple votes, which violated contest rules. The clips were later removed.